Democratic candidate Izzy Arcelay announced Tuesday he's dropping out of the crowded race for Northampton County Council.

Ismael
Arcelay announced today that he is dropping out of the race for Northampton
County Council. “I’d like to thank all of my supporters who circulated my
petitions and for those who took the time to sign them,” said Arcelay.
“My commitment to my job with the City of Allentown simply does not allow me
the time to run an effective campaign, and I don’t want to waste anyone’s time
and effort if I can’t run an effective campaign in such a large field of
candidates.”

Arcelay said his job as special assistant to Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, doesn't leave enough time to run an effective campaign.

“I feel I could be an effective county councilman, but my current position does not allow me the time necessary for
campaigning, and that’s not fair to the city of Allentown, or to my volunteers
and campaign staff. I will continue to further serve my community in some
other capacity,” Arcelay said.

Arcelay was the first Latino member of Bethlehem City Council, serving from 2003-06. He lost a 2005 re-election bid in the Democratic
primary to Karen Dolan, who ultimately won the seat. He ran
unsuccessfully again in 2007.

He was running for one of five at-large council seats on Northampton County Council held by Republicans
Tom Dietrich, Peg Ferraro, Barb Thierry, Bruce Gilbert and John Cusick. Only Ferraro is running for reelection.

Arcelay's exit leaves 15 candidates in the running for those five seats. Five Republicans and five Democrats will emerge from the May primary to compete for the slots.